Leadership

Richard A. Kresch, M.D. is a successful entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare services space. Dr. Kresch founded Ascend Health in 2005 and, as CEO, built it into the largest privately-held psychiatric hospital company with $200 million in annual revenue. Ascend Health was sold to Universal Health Services in 2012. Earlier in Dr. Kresch’s career, he founded and led Heartland Health Developments, a psychiatric care provider that was sold to Psychiatric Solutions in 2004. Dr. Kresch also established and sold a regional chain of skilled nursing facilities prior to Heartland Health Developments.

Dr. Kresch serves as Executive Chairman of Urgent Care Centers of New England and also founded The River School, a regional chain of childcare centers.

Dr. Kresch is a graduate of New York Medical College. He completed his Adult Psychiatry training at the Mount Sinai Medical Center of New York City and completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Kresch spent 20 years as a practicing psychiatrist at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.

Neal Cury has been a leader in healthcare administration for over 25 years. Most recently, Mr. Cury was the Chief Operating Officer of Ascend Health. Mr. Cury joined Ascend Health in 2005 and was responsible for the operational oversight and management of nine facilities. Prior to Ascend Health, Mr. Cury was also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Health Developments. His extensive career in health administration also includes leadership roles at Hospital Corporation of America and Behavioral Health Corporation.

Mr. Cury received his BA in Psychology from Randolph Macon College and his Master in Health Administration from Duke University.

James Cha has over 10 years of senior finance healthcare experience. Prior to US HealthVest, Mr. Cha was a senior investment professional at Trevi Health Capital, a venture capital / growth equity firm that invested in healthcare services, medical device and biopharmaceuticals. Mr. Cha received his BA and MA from Harvard University.

Martina Sze has over 15 years of healthcare experience. Most recently, as a Vice President at Ascend Health, Ms. Sze assisted in the acquisition and development of psychiatric hospitals. Prior to Ascend Health, Ms. Sze worked as a healthcare services analyst at Cooper Hill Partners, a healthcare investment fund, and at Universal American Corp., a managed care company. Ms. Sze received her BBA from the College of William and Mary and her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Linda Barker has over 30 years of psychiatric nursing experience and has extensive experience with behavioral health companies such as Ascend Health, Universal Health Services and Youth Family Centered Services. Ms. Barker returns to join this leadership team as Senior Vice President of Clinical Services to oversee clinical standards and the requirements of The Joint Commission, CMS and the various state standards. Ms. Barker received her MSN in psychiatric nursing with specialty role as Clinical Nurse Specialist from Texas Women’s University.

Randy Kaniecki has over 25 years of behavioral healthcare experience. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Marketing and Managed Care Relations at Ascend Health Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Kaniecki held various positions at Charter Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services, Psychiatric Solutions and Heartland Health Development. His experiences include contracting with major managed care organizations and marketing new hospitals, turn-around projects, and mature facilities.

Miro Petrovic is an architect with 25 years of experience in planning, design and construction management of various healthcare projects for institutional and private clients. Formerly a principal and the market sector leader at GLMV Architecture, he led the design team in the development of numerous projects including the design of behavioral health facilities for Ascend Health. Mr. Petrovic brings extensive experience in facility evaluation, feasibility, planning and design, regulatory compliance and construction management. He is a registered architect, a member of American College of Healthcare Architects and American Institute of Architects.

Special Advisor

US HealthVest’s military team is strengthened by Colonel David W. Sutherland, who is serving as a Special Advisor for military and veterans’ programs.

Colonel Sutherland retired from the United States Army in 2012 and is the founder of The Sutherland Partnership, Inc. The principles and operational structure of his “Lead From the Front” Leadership are based on his exceptional military experiences. From his 29 years of service, including as a Brigade Commander in Iraq, he modernized critical core leader competencies such as ethical leadership development; winning as a team during uncertainty; and visualizing solutions to achieve results. Understanding the complexities of diverse cultures and linking relationships, Sutherland increases accomplishments and enhances motivation to contribute to overall group goals.

Sutherland also actively contributes to numerous national veteran and military family committees and boards. Sutherland speaks in communities at universities, businesses and conferences around the country as a vocal advocate and leader for transformational change.

Colonel Sutherland’s final assignment prior to retirement was as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with principle focus on Warrior and Family Support. By visiting hundreds of communities and assisting thousands of organizations, he created a nationwide network of support utilizing grassroots solutions for veterans and their families.

Awards and decorations include, among others, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge Second Award and Senior Parachutist Badge. He is also the 2008 Freedom Award recipient presented by the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation and the 2011 Meritorious Service Award recipient presented by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for his work on behalf of returning service members, veterans, military families and families of the fallen.